Lit image projection devices and lamp assemblies containing the same for generation of three dimensional images

ABSTRACT

Lit image projection devices and lamp assemblies containing the same for generation of three dimensional images. A projection device of the present disclosure comprises one or more light sources, a rippled substrate defining a reflective surface, the reflective surface configured to reflect light source light from the one or more light sources as reflected light, and a first lenticular lens configured to receive the reflected light from the reflective surface, wherein the reflected light received by the first lenticular lens generates a three-dimensional lit image.

PRIORITY

The present application is related to, claims the priority benefit of,and is U.S. 35 U.S.C. 371 national stage patent application of,International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2017/037283, filedJun. 13, 2017, which is related to, and claims the priority benefit of,U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/349,368, filed Jun. 13,2016. The contents of each of the aforementioned applications areincorporated herein by reference and directly in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The design of the exterior lighting components of automobiles plays animportant role in the styling and marketing of vehicles in theautomotive market. Vehicle designers are interested in technologies thatcan both provide the required regulatory functions of automotiveexterior lighting and enable a unique and aesthetically pleasing lit andunlit appearance of the lighting components on the vehicle. There isalso a desire to create uniformity and continuity in the lit appearanceof functionally separate lamps that may be in close proximity to oneanother, for instance, a corner tail lamp relative to an applique orlift gate lamps. Therefore, there remains a significant need for theapparatuses, methods, and systems disclosed herein useful to generatethe desired lit images.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device comprises one or more light sources,wherein a plurality of light sources comprises an array of lightsources; a rippled substrate defining a reflective surface, thereflective surface configured to reflect light source light from the oneor more light sources as reflected light; and one or more lenticularlenses, configured to receive the reflected light from the reflectivesurface; wherein the reflected light received by the one or morelenticular lenses generates a three-dimensional lit image.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the three-dimensional lit image appears as lightning.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device comprises part of a lamp assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the lamp assembly further comprises a housing an outer lens,wherein in the housing and outer lens define an inner volume, andwherein at least part of the projection device is positioned within theinner volume.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one of more lenticular lenses each comprise/define aplurality of flute optics or flutes.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the flute optics or flutes have a convex shape.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a projection device, asshown and/or described herein.

The present disclosure also includes disclosure of a lamp assembly, asshown and/or described herein.

The present disclosure also includes disclosure of a method to generatea three-dimensional lit image, as shown and/or described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device comprises one or more light sources; arippled substrate defining a reflective surface, the reflective surfaceconfigured to reflect light source light from the one or more lightsources as reflected light; and a first lenticular lens configured toreceive the reflected light from the reflective surface; wherein thereflected light received by the first lenticular lens generates athree-dimensional lit image.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the three-dimensional lit image appears as lightning.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device comprises part of a lamp assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the lamp assembly further comprises a housing and an outerlens, wherein the housing and outer lens define an inner volume andwherein at least part of the projection device is positioned within theinner volume.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the three-dimensional lit image is present or perceivedwithin the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the lamp assembly is configured as a vehicle lamp assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the first lenticular lens comprises or defines a pluralityof flute optics or flutes.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the flute optics or flutes have a convex shape.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one or more light sources comprises an array of lightsources.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one or more light sources comprise one or morelight-emitting diodes.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the rippled substrate comprises one or more ripples or wavestherein, existing in a first direction and an opposite second direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device further comprises a second lenticularlens configured to receive the reflected light from the reflectivesurface, wherein the reflected light received by the first lenticularlens and the second lenticular lens generates the three-dimensional litimage.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device comprises part of a lamp assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the lamp assembly further comprises a housing and an outerlens, wherein the housing and outer lens define an inner volume andwherein at least part of the projection device is positioned within theinner volume.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the three-dimensional lit image is present or perceivedwithin the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the lamp assembly is configured as a vehicle lamp assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the second lenticular lens comprises or defines a pluralityof flute optics or flutes.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the flute optics or flutes have a convex shape.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one or more light sources is/are positioned in betweenthe rippled substrate and one of the one or more lenticular lenses.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one or more light sources are positioned to direct lighttoward the rippled substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device comprises an array of light sources; arippled substrate defining a reflective surface, the reflective surfaceconfigured to reflect light source light from the array of light sourcesas reflected light; and one or more lenticular lenses configured toreceive the reflected light from the reflective surface; wherein thereflected light received by the one or more lenticular lenses generatesa three-dimensional lit image.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the three-dimensional lit image appears as lightning.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the array of light sources comprises one or morelight-emitting diodes.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the projection device comprises part of a lamp assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the lamp assembly further comprises a housing and an outerlens, wherein the housing and outer lens define an inner volume andwherein at least part of the projection device is positioned within theinner volume.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the three-dimensional lit image is present or perceivedwithin the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the lamp assembly is configured as a vehicle lamp assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one or more lenticular lenses each comprise a pluralityof flute optics or flutes, and wherein the flute or flute optics have aconvex shape.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one or more light sources is/are positioned in betweenthe rippled substrate and one of the one or more lenticular lenses.

In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the presentdisclosure, the one or more light sources are positioned to direct lighttoward the rippled substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment of a lamp assembly of the present disclosure,the lamp assembly comprises an exemplary projection device of thepresent disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment of a lamp assembly of the present disclosure,the lamp assembly comprises a projection device, comprising one or morelight sources; a rippled substrate defining a reflective surface, thereflective surface configured to reflect light source light from the oneor more light sources as reflected light; and a first lenticular lensconfigured to receive the reflected light from the reflective surface;wherein the reflected light received by the first lenticular lensgenerates a three-dimensional lit image; a housing; and an outer lenscoupled to the housing to define an inner volume, wherein at least partof the projection device is positioned within the inner volume.

In an exemplary embodiment of a lamp assembly of the present disclosure,the housing and the outer lens are structured to establish and maintaina relative distance between the one or more light sources and the firstlenticular lens.

In an exemplary embodiment of a lamp assembly of the present disclosure,the first lenticular lens is welded to the housing using a sonic weldprocess, a vibration weld process, or a thermal tack process.

In an exemplary embodiment of a lamp assembly of the present disclosure,the rippled substrate comprises one or more ripples or waves therein,existing in a first direction and an opposite second direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, anddisclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, willbecome apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood byreference to the following description of various exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows elements of a projection device, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows flutes of a lenticular lens, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a lamp assembly having two lenticular lenses, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a lamp assembly configured to generate a three-dimensionalimage appearing as lightning, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 shows a lamp assembly having two lenticular lenses, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

An overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of thecomponents depicted in the various figures will now be presented. Itshould be appreciated that not all of the features of the components ofthe figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussedfeatures, such as various couplers, etc., as well as discussed featuresare inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed featuresmay be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of various projection devicesand methods of operating the same to generate a desired lit image, alsoreferred to herein as a three-dimensional (3D) lit image.

Components of an exemplary projection device of the present disclosureare shown in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 1 , an exemplary projectiondevice 100 comprises one or more light sources 102, which, in variousembodiments, may be/comprise light emitting diodes. Light sources 102,as shown in FIG. 1 , are configured/positioned so to direct lightemitted therefrom (identified as light source light 104 in FIG. 1 )toward a rippled substrate 106 having/defining a reflective surface 108.Rippled substrate 106 is defined as comprising one or more ripples orwaves 107 therein so to facilitate generation of virtualthree-dimensional images 400 (3D images 400) of the present disclosure.Ripples or waves 107 are generally understood as to be curved portionsof rippled substrate 106, existing in a first and an opposite seconddirection (such as in and out, up and down, front and back, etc.), sothat ripples or waves 107 form rippled substrate 106 having reflectivesurface 108. Light source light 104 can be reflected from reflectedsurface 108 (identified as reflected light 110 in FIG. 1 ) in variousdirections, whereby at least some of the reflected light 110 is directedtoward, and ultimately through, one or more lenticular lenses 120.

Lenticular lenses 120, in at least some embodiments, generally comprisea plurality of convex flute optics or flutes 200 (shown in FIG. 2 )arranged side by side such that the flutes 200 extend in the samedirection, defining a longitudinal axis of the lens such that each flute200 has an optical axis generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.The plurality of flutes 200 may enable a horizontal parallax, forexample. Without being bound to a particular theory, exemplaryprojection devices 100 of the present disclosure uses a compoundhorizontal parallax enabled by the use of multiple lenticular lenses 120to generate a 3D image 400, as shown in FIG. 4 . The 3D image(s) 400generated using projection devices 100 of the present disclosure can beviewed by a viewer 130 (a person, for example), looking in a directiontoward projection device 100 and/or lamp assemblies 140 (discussed infurther detail herein), such as shown via viewing direction arrow 132.The general directions of light source light 104 (from light source(s)102 toward reflective surface 108 of rippled substrate 106, reflectedlight 110 from reflective surface 108 of rippled substrate 106, andviewing direction 132, are generally identified by the arrows shown inFIG. 1 , for example.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of portions of a plurality of flutes200, depicting three full flutes 200 and two partial flutes 200 toeither side. As shown in FIG. 2 , lenticular lenses 120 may have athickness 202, such as any suitable thickness 202 including, forexample, 0.1-10 millimeters (mm). In certain embodiments, the thickness202 of one or more lenticular lenses 120 may be between 1-3 mm. In atleast one embodiment, the thickness 202 of lenticular lenses 120 may be1 mm. In various embodiments, lenticular flutes 26 may be on oppositesides of the same lenticular lens 120.

Exemplary projection devices 100 may be incorporated into lampassemblies 140 as shown in FIG. 3 . Exemplary lamp assemblies 140 of thepresent disclosure may include an outer lens 144 attached to a housing142 to form a volume 148 therebetween. The housing 142 and/or outer lens144 may be structured to secure and position the projection device 100within the volume 148. The housing 142 and/or outer lens 144 may bestructured to establish and maintain the relative distance between thelight source 104 (or array 160 of more than one light source 104), afirst lenticular lens 120 (identified as lenticular lens 120 a in FIG. 3), and an optional second lenticular lens 120 (identified as lenticularlens 120 b in FIG. 3 ). In at least one embodiment, the housing 142 mayinclude one or more bosses 146 structured to positively locate the firstlenticular lens 120 a and/or the second lenticular lens 120 b. Incertain embodiments, the first lenticular lens 120 a and/or the secondlenticular lens 120 b may be attached to the housing 142 by any suitablemeans. For example, the first lenticular lens 120 a and/or the secondlenticular lens 120 b may be welded to the housing 142 using, withoutlimitation, a sonic weld process, a vibration weld process, or thermaltack process. Alternatively or additionally, the first lenticular lens120 a and/or the second lenticular lens 120 b may be attached to thehousing 142 using an adhesive. In at least one embodiment, the housing142, the outer lens 144, the first lenticular lens 120 a, and/or thesecond lenticular lens 120 b may be configured to trap the firstlenticular lens 120 a and/or the second lenticular lens 120 b in thedesired position without an additional means of attachment. One, two,three, or more lenticular lenses 120 can be used in various lampassembly 140 embodiments of the present disclosure, as may be desired.

FIG. 3 also shows an exemplary relative positioning of a light source104, or an array 160 of light sources 104, relative to one or morelenticular lenses 120 and a rippled substrate 106. In such anembodiment, for example, rippled substrate 106 is positioned at or neara relative back of housing 142, and light source 104, or an array oflight sources 104, is/are positioned between rippled substrate 106 and afirst lenticular lens 120 (shown as lenticular lens 120 a in FIG. 3 ).

FIG. 4 shows a photograph of an exemplary lamp assembly 140 of thepresent disclosure, whereby 3D image 400 is shown, generated by way oflight source light 104 from a light source 102 (or an array 160 of lightsources 102), reflecting off of a reflective surface 108 of a rippledsubstrate 106 as reflected light 110, which is directed toward one ormore lenticular lenses 120, so to generate said 3D image 400. As shownin FIG. 4 , at least one 3D image 400 of the present disclosure isgenerated to look like (appear as) lightning.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary lamp assembly 140 of the present disclosure,similar to that shown in FIG. 3 , but with only one lenticular lens 120(such as one of lenticular lenses 120 a, 120 b shown in FIG. 3 ).

While various embodiments of lit image projection devices and lampassemblies for the generation of three-dimensional images and methods togenerate the same have been described in considerable detail herein, theembodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of thedisclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to beexhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the presentdisclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particularsequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or processdoes not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, themethod or process should not be limited to the particular sequence ofsteps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore,the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not beconstrued as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition,disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited tothe performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences maybe varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A projection device, comprising: one ormore light sources; a rippled substrate defining a reflective surface,wherein the one or more light sources are oriented to direct light in adirection of the reflective surface, wherein at least part of thedirected light is directed toward a furthest rear portion of theprojection device such that at least one light source of the one or morelight sources is directed perpendicular to the furthest rear portion ofthe projection device, the reflective surface configured to reflectlight source light from the one or more light sources directed at it asreflected light; a first lenticular lens configured to receive thereflected light from the reflective surface; and a second lenticularlens configured to receive the reflected light from the reflectivesurface; wherein the reflected light received by the first lenticularlens and the second lenticular lens generates a three-dimensional litimage.
 2. The projection device of claim 1, wherein thethree-dimensional lit image appears as lightning.
 3. The projectiondevice of claim 1, comprising part of a lamp assembly, wherein the lampassembly further comprises a housing and an outer lens, wherein thehousing and outer lens define an inner volume and wherein at least partof the projection device is positioned within the inner volume, andwherein the three-dimensional lit image is present or perceived withinthe housing.
 4. The projection device of claim 1, wherein the lampassembly is configured as a vehicle lamp assembly.
 5. The projectiondevice of claim 1, wherein the first lenticular lens comprises ordefines a plurality of flute optics or flutes, and wherein the fluteoptics or flutes have a convex shape.
 6. The projection device of claim1, wherein the one or more light sources comprise one or morelight-emitting diodes.
 7. The projection device of claim 1, wherein therippled substrate comprises one or more ripples or waves therein,existing in a first direction and an opposite second direction.
 8. Theprojection device of claim 1, wherein the second lenticular lens ispositioned relative to the first lenticular lens such that a gap existstherebetween.
 9. The projection device of claim 8, comprising part of alamp assembly, wherein the lamp assembly further comprises a housing andan outer lens, wherein the housing and outer lens define an inner volumeand wherein at least part of the projection device is positioned withinthe inner volume, and wherein the three-dimensional lit image is presentor perceived within the housing.
 10. The projection device of claim 8,wherein the lamp assembly is configured as a vehicle lamp assembly. 11.The projection device of claim 8, wherein the second lenticular lenscomprises or defines a plurality of flute optics or flutes, and whereinthe flute optics or flutes have a convex shape.
 12. A projection device,comprising: an array of light sources; a rippled substrate defining areflective surface, wherein the array of light sources is oriented todirect light in a direction of the reflective surface, wherein at leastpart of the directed light is directed toward a furthest rear portion ofthe projection device such that at least one light source of the arrayof light sources is directed perpendicular to the furthest rear portionof the projection device, the reflective surface configured to reflectlight source light from the array of light sources directed at it asreflected light; and two or more lenticular lenses configured to receivethe reflected light from the reflective surface; wherein the reflectedlight received by the two or more lenticular lenses generates athree-dimensional lit image.
 13. The projection device of claim 12,wherein the three-dimensional lit image appears as lightning.
 14. Theprojection device of claim 12, wherein the array of light sourcescomprises one or more light-emitting diodes.
 15. The projection deviceof claim 12, comprising part of a lamp assembly, wherein the lampassembly further comprises a housing and an outer lens, wherein thehousing and outer lens define an inner volume and wherein at least partof the projection device is positioned within the inner volume, andwherein the three-dimensional lit image is present or perceived withinthe housing.
 16. The projection device of claim 12, wherein the lampassembly is configured as a vehicle lamp assembly.
 17. The projectiondevice of claim 12, wherein the one or more lenticular lenses eachcomprise a plurality of flute optics or flutes, and wherein the flute orflute optics have a convex shape, and wherein the one or more lightsources is/are positioned in between the rippled substrate and one ofthe one or more lenticular lenses.
 18. The projection device of claim12, wherein the one or more light sources are positioned to direct lighttoward the rippled substrate.
 19. A lamp assembly comprising: aprojection device, comprising: one or more light sources; a rippledsubstrate defining a reflective surface, wherein the one or more lightsources are oriented to direct light in a direction of the reflectivesurface, wherein at least part of the directed light is directed towarda furthest rear portion of the projection device such that at least onelight source of the one or more light sources is directed perpendicularto the furthest rear portion of the projection device, the reflectivesurface configured to reflect light source light from the one or morelight sources directed at it as reflected light; a first lenticular lensconfigured to receive the reflected light from the reflective surface;and a second lenticular lens configured to receive the reflected lightfrom the reflective surface; wherein the reflected light received by thefirst lenticular lens and the second lenticular lens generates athree-dimensional lit image; a housing; and an outer lens coupled to thehousing to define an inner volume, wherein at least part of theprojection device is positioned within the inner volume.
 20. The lampassembly of claim 19, wherein the housing and the outer lens arestructured to establish and maintain a relative distance between the oneor more light sources and the first lenticular lens, and wherein therippled substrate comprises one or more ripples or waves therein,existing in a first direction and an opposite second direction.